April O'Brien talks about her volunteer and volunteer co-ordination experiences. Photo/Supplied
Dedication, hard work and people giving up their own time was celebrated at a lunch for volunteers last Friday.
A 'Volunteer Appreciation Lunch' was held by Volunteering Bay of Plenty in Rotorua.
Volunteering Bay of Plenty general manager Theo Ursum says 85 people attended the lunch.
Those present were volunteers and volunteer co-ordinators, with special guest Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector Alfred Ngaro.
Also present was Rotorua MP Todd McClay.
Theo says they had six speakers - four volunteers who told their volunteer stories, one volunteer co-ordinator and Mr Ngaro.
He says the lunch has been running for three years but this was the first time in has been hosted in Rotorua.
"The National Volunteer week is an opportunity to celebrate what volunteers bring to their communities.
"The importance of volunteering for communities can't be recognised often enough - just think about what would happen if volunteers would go on strike for one day!"
He says it is important to recognise volunteering and the place it has in keeping our communities strong and healthy.
"This week is a great way to celebrate the deeds of volunteers and to promote the benefits of volunteering."
Volunteer April O'Brien, from Murupara, says she spoke at the lunch about being a volunteer and about volunteering at the ground level.
She says she has been volunteering for 15 years, and is a volunteer co-ordinator at Student Pulse, is on the Anzac Day Committee and volunteers at the Murupara Blue Light, as well as doing little one-off jobs.
April says she likes giving back and being able to see the change in others.
She says at the lunch it was inspiring to hear others speak and meet like-minded people.
She thanks Volunteering Bay of Plenty for the event and the other speakers for inspiring her.
It comes after seven arrests overnight as construction work restarted.